Novel systems for integration of audio stimuli and physiologically ameliorative protocols

ABSTRACT

Improved systems and methods allow users to employ audio stimuli to provide a desired cadence set, series of pre-arranged and programmed stress inducing or mitigating periods, in combination with other desired parameters to allow users to recover from disease or bodily injury by following a prescribed methodology from a healthcare provider, or others, or to increase or enhance fitness. Conventional music delivery systems function in complement with the instant teachings, as do the business methods and related kits which are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims full Paris Convention priority of U.S. Ser. No.60/878340, filed 3 Jan. 2007, and incorporates the same expressly byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to systems for providing cadence and fitnesstraining to those wishing to improve their response to, among otherthings, the stress of exercise, recovery from cardiovascular injury,recovery from orthopedic injury, control of diabetes and other vasculardiseases, and other health, fitness and medical application. Inparticular, the disclosure relates to a number of systems and businessmethods to utilize conventional delivery systems for music, for example,in ways that have neither been contemplated, practiced or describedwhich constitute progress in science and the useful arts. Likewise, thepresent invention discloses unique pre-synchronized cadence systems forathletes and others requiring cardiovascular and othermedically-required exercise, audible in combination with other toolsfrom the Internet.

2. General Background

Many attempts have been made to make athletes and others able to trainto optimize their respective performances over time. However, given thetechnology that today can accept, store and array euphonious auditorystimuli, a paradigm shift has been made by the advent of the instantteachings. Namely, by leveraging off of the music delivery systems forpersonalized use (e.g. the iPod® and iPod nano® brands of devicesavailable from Apple computers®, for example) the present inventor hasdeveloped systems to optimize physiological response, to develop desiredcadences and capacities for endurance, and to enable those wishing touse music to improve or stimulate their exercise or their need toexercise to have a new arsenal of tools.

Within the context of this specification the term music delivery systemsdenotes those conventional and after-developed technologies allowingusers to harvest, capture, arrange, store and replay desired audiostimuli, comprising the exemplary systems set forth above and thosedescribed below as would be known to artisans.

Those skilled in the audio arts will be aware of the multiplicity ofplatforms, systems and storage media implicated by the abovedefinitional structure, and how any number of such systems could beinterchanged with those exemplary and non-limiting embodiments set forthherein. This combination of conventional systems is within the ambit ofthe present invention.

It is respectfully submitted that the teachings of the present inventionsolve the longstanding need to provide a numbers of ways that music andrelated stimuli can be used in synchrony with physiological signatures,responses and feedback cycles based on science available today to solvea series of unrequited needs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly stated, improved systems and methods allow users to employ audiostimuli to provide a desired cadence set, series of pre-arranged andprogrammed stress inducing or mitigating periods, in combination withother desired parameters to achieve tangible and useful results.Conventional music delivery systems function in complement with theinstant teachings, as do the business methods and related kits which aredisclosed.

According to features of the present disclosure there are provided,among other things, a method for improving physiological output, whichcomprises, in combination, arraying a plurality of harmoniouslyeuphonious data sets (musical tracks) having at least a desired cadenceset in a medium from which they can be retrieved, providing a musicdelivery system capable of at least one of reading, playing, storing,housing and arraying said musical tracks embodying at least a desiredcadence set, loading at least one of said musical tracks embodying saidat least a cadence set onto the music delivery system, playing the atleast one of said musical tracks embodying said at least a cadence setfor a time interval while exercising, and repeating any of the abovesteps, including using the Internet, any “wiki-models”, open source orother content screening, storing or euphonious systems.

According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided amethod to enable a human to improve physiological output, whichcomprises, in combination; arraying a plurality of harmoniouslyeuphonious audio data sets, perceptible as music tracks having at leasta desired cadence set in a medium from which they can be retrieved,providing a music delivery system capable of at least one of reading,playing storing, housing and arraying said musical tracks embodying atleast a desired cadence set, loading at least one of said musical tracksembodying said at least a cadence set onto the music delivery system,delivering for playing at least one of said musical tracks embodyingsaid at least a cadence set for a time interval during at least oneactivity selected from the group consisting of exercising, recoveringfrom a physical or mental challenge, and engaging in a proactive healthmaintenance program, and repeating any of the above steps.

According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided anapparatus, housing a plurality of harmoniously euphonious audio datasets, perceptible as music tracks having at least a desired cadence setin a medium from which they can be retrieved, provided to a musicdelivery system capable of at least one of reading, playing storing, andarraying said musical tracks embodying at least a desired cadence set,loaded with at least one of said musical tracks embodying said at leasta cadence set for playing at least one of said musical tracks embodyingsaid at least a cadence set for a time interval during at least oneactivity selected from the group consisting of exercising, recoveringfrom a physical or mental challenge, and engaging in a proactive healthmaintenance program.

According to features of the present disclosures, there are providedmultiple iterations of readily accessible fitness promoting, improvingand optimizing systems and processes, as will be useful for those havinga modicum of skill in the art.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent with reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIGS. 1(A and B) is an example of a GUI and the like from an exemplaryweb-site page;

FIGS. 2(A and B) shows other aspects of an interface mechanism accordingto the instant teachings;

FIG. 3 shows other aspects of an interface mechanism according to theinstant teachings;

FIG. 4 shows other aspects of an interface mechanism according to theinstant teachings;

FIGS. 5(A and B) shows other aspects of an interface mechanism accordingto the instant teachings;

FIG. 6 is a chart according to the present invention; and,

FIGS. 7(A and B) is a graphical depiction of aspects of the teachings ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graphical depiction of aspects of the teachings of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventor has discovered that he can solve a longstandingneed by implementing an elegant, mechanically straightforward solutionto a problem that has not been effectively addressed among the teachingsof the prior art.

Those skilled in the musical arts will readily understand that a varietyof products are available to listen to, store and otherwise enjoy music.Athletes have traditionally employed various training techniques toenhance performance, increase resistance and generally improvephysiological outputs. Physicians requiring patients to adopt and adhereto rigorous and controlled programs for gradual and sustained recoveryfrom cardiovascular, orthopedic and other injuries, as well as controlof vascular diseases, such as diabetes, have had no techniques forstimulating patients to achieve these results other than under directand constant supervision. However, prior to the advent of the instantteaching, combining these two disparate fields of endeavor has not beensuccessfully undertaken.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a basic format shows one embodiment, for example,with three different sets of selections that can be chosen by a user,namely 130/135/140/145 or 150 beats per minute. What this does is takeyears of physiological research and learning and schematizes it tocreate training tools for those who wish to maximize their output.

Those skilled in the art understand that there is a rhythm inherent inhuman physiology which can be tapped into, and to a certain extentcaptured, through the electronic generation of synchronized output.Given the plethoric nature of musical choices and styles, to provide asystematized approach that users can employ to leverage this providesfor a substantial advantage for anyone wishing to increase theirrespective physiological output.

The present inventor leverages all one-line, wired and wirelessplatforms to, for example, sample known musical track and confirm fromthe desired pre-determined cadence sets. Technology enables artisans toselect a desired beat-per-minute measure (e.g. 135 to 155 bpms) andconform various musical selection desired by users to the same. The sameas one can hear Pink Floyd®'s epic DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (citation) inconventional, punk, disco, or reggae mode (DUB SIDE OF THE MOONcitation). The present invention allows a user's desired musical base tobe customized, combined and selected to fit the bpm desired. In the caseof medical applications, the present invention provides for a customizedand stimulating use of the musical base to ease medically-needed personsinto an exercise routine through the coordination of music bpms and timefor performance, such that a safe, controlled “step” recovery ormaintenance process can be achieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 1(A and B), amateur athletes and elite athletes(such as Katya Meyers, a world-class and elite tri-athlete (usingembodiments available from TECHNO SWEAT®, P.O. Box 130338 Carlsbad,Calif. 92009) have songs and music crafted at speeds of any range,including 135 bpm, 140 bpm, 145 bpm, 150 bpm and 155 bpm, to use fortraining in all types of athletics. The methodology is useful in fitnesscenters, gyms and outdoors and for all types of training, including butnot limited to cardiovascular efforts, running, spinning, cycling,skiing and swimming. The applicant's methodology is being used infitness centers under contracts with MYECLUBTV.com. Ms. Meyers,currently under contract with Techno Sweat, trains for competition inelite triathlons at 155 bpm and above.

Those skilled in the art understand that going to the web-site, bringingor acquiring music and linking to the instant system can generate acustomized quasi-customized or stock PC direct to listen to. See forexample, www.technosweat.com. The inventor, in consultation withphysicians, has developed a “step” program using slower bpms to providea systematic pre-coordinated recovery and maintenance system in the samefashion for medical applications.

As shown in FIGS. 2(A and B), the inventor has pre-assembled continuousplay music at different and changing bpms to simulate different kinds oftraining movements, such as sprints, rolling hills, climbs, etc., forsimplicity and ease of use. These pre-assembled units simulate exercisesin intervals of 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes and 75 minutes, anduse music in different genres, such as rock, Latin, dance, electronic,etc.

FIGS. 3 and 6 also shows how a user can listen, submit, store and selectdesired tracts. According to the teaching of the present invention,TRAINING TRACKS comprise desired songs, artists or genre's that may besubmitted, licensed or otherwise acquired from users lawfully andcombined as part of the present inventions. Users can choose desiredparameters and self-select, or having sets of training tracks compiledfor them. Still others can purchase pre-coordinated sets designed toramp up speeds and distances at pre-determined intervals. By usingconventional shopping cart and credit card technologies (exemplified inFIG. 4), navigation through the web-site of FIGS. 1-6 is achieved.

Referring now also to FIGS. 7(A and B), those skilled will understandthat everyone from elite athletes to novices can use a relationshipbetween target heard rates (bpm) and musical beat, measure and cadenceto achieve exercise targets. Variation between fast and slow bpm's forintervals, “Fartlek” (“speed-play” in Swedish) and other trainingmethods can be used by those under the claims of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, physicians and patients can choose recovery andmaintenance systems for cardiovascular, orthopedic, and other conditionsand diseases, by prescribing “step” recovery pre-coordinated systems forcontrolling both the speed (bpms) and distance (time) for optimalrecovery and sustainable results. A 4-step process at different timeintervals (10 minutes to 60 minutes) motivates patients to follow aprescribed methodology for assisting in the recovery from disease andbodily injury.

By way of further example, Lasse Viren and distance running guru ArthurLydiard pioneered may concepts in cardio vascular training based uponvaried time and tempo. According to their theories, for example, afterbuilding up a “base” of long-slow-distance (LSD) training, intervals—orshort bursts of speed may be used to “peak” or perform optimally overtime with the present invention, implementing such training programs canbe done by a user over the Internet.

Similarly, users can offer their preferred musical tracks and have theirchoices made compliant with a desired bpm cadence. This is done withconventional software removing small pieces from existing songs orpre-composing the same. Benefits, features and advantages of the instantsystem range from embedding resulting products in chips, chip sets andlater developed music delivery systems, among other things.

Accordingly, artisans will appreciate that the teachings of the presentinvention enable one-stop shopping that those wishing to employ trainingtracks can access. This is differentiated from existing systems, yet canbe used with them to enhance their availability to help users. Anyonefrom world-class athletes to recovering patients or those challengedwith special needs can benefit from pacing with the teaching of thepresent invention.

1. A method to enable a human to improve physiological output, whichcomprises, in combination: arraying a plurality of harmoniouslyeuphonious audio data sets, perceptible as music tracks having at leasta desired cadence set in a medium from which they can be retrieved;providing a music delivery system capable of at least one of reading,playing storing, housing and arraying said musical tracks embodying atleast a desired cadence set; loading at least one of said musical tracksembodying said at least a cadence set onto the music delivery system;delivering for playing at least one of said musical tracks embodyingsaid at least a cadence set for a time interval during at least oneactivity selected from the group consisting of exercising, recoveringfrom a physical or mental challenge, and engaging in a proactive healthmaintenance program; and repeating any of the above steps.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein at least one of said steps is performed on-line. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein a user subscribes for a fee to theservice.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a user is given access withat least a password to a web-site linked set of choices and selectionsand performs at least one of the steps by making selections from atleast a menu on the web-site.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising at least an interface enabling tracking of a user's progressand communication with at least one of a health care provider, personaltrainer and fitness adviser and others.
 6. A process for generating anddelivering a set of training musical tracks comprising, in combination:offering a plurality of songs each linked to a cadence; combining themin a vehicle enabling them to be played; and supplying them to apurchaser.
 7. The process of claim 6, whereby the songs are customizedor quasi-customized before linking them to said cadence.
 8. The processof claims 7,, wherein the vehicle is compatible with known musicdelivery systems.
 9. A product, produced by the process of claims
 8. 10.A product produced by the process of claim 8, offered with input from atleast one of a healthcare provider, personal health and fitness trainer,and other person who is supporting recovery from illness, bodily injury,physical or mental challenge or ageing.
 11. An apparatus, housing aplurality of harmoniously euphonious audio data sets, perceptible asmusic tracks having at least a desired cadence set in a medium fromwhich they can be retrieved, provided to a music delivery system capableof at least one of reading, playing storing, and arraying said musicaltracks embodying at least a desired cadence set, loaded with at leastone of said musical tracks embodying said at least a cadence set forplaying at least one of said musical tracks embodying said at least acadence set for a time interval during at least one activity selectedfrom the group consisting of exercising, recovering from a physical ormental challenge, and engaging in a proactive health maintenanceprogram.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus isportable, wireless and attaches to at least one of a body part, medicalsporting or leisure device glasses, and an article of clothing.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, said medical sporting or leisure device furthercomprising: a bicycle, cane, crutch, I-V pole, monitor, treadmill,skull, weight training machine, shoe, ski, surfboard, wakeboard,water-ski or elliptical trainer.